Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Gregoire flies to city, promises aid

Gov. Chris Gregoire flew into Spokane on Thursday evening to declare a state of emergency and said the state would do everything necessary to quell the fires.

“We’re doing everything we can and the local folks have responded exactly as they need to,” she said.

Regarding what the emergency declaration meant for funds coming into Spokane County, she said, “It’s not about disbursing funds. That’s for a different day.”

Gregoire declared a state of emergency in the lobby of Redeemer Lutheran Church, where an emergency command was stationed.

She did that shortly after other local leaders declared their own states of emergency, including Spokane Valley Mayor Rich Munson, Spokane County commissioners and Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich.

Gregoire said the Spokane Valley fire was the state’s highest priority.